Schönbrunn Palace, Stephansplatz, the Wurstelprater, Café Central and the Hofburg: all of these places are probably mentioned in every Vienna travel guide. And not without good reason - after all, they are historic places and impressive sights that make up the flair of the city. For all those who don't want to come out as a classic tourist right away, we have put together a colorful alternative program to the top tourist attractions. If you want to get around as quickly as possible, you should check out the Vienna Welcome Card for mobility benefits, as it will get you from A to B at a reduced price.

Instead of St. Stephen's Cathedral: the Votive Church in the 9th district

St. Stephen's Cathedral is Vienna's most famous church, which of course means that it is almost always surrounded by tourists. As a result, Stephansplatz is usually packed with people and if you want to take a break, you can expect to pay high prices in the surrounding restaurants. If you want to experience neo-Gothic architecture without claustrophobia, we recommend the Votive Church near the University of Vienna in the 9th district. As the second tallest church in Vienna, it is not quite as huge as St. Stephen's Cathedral, but visually it is a real fairytale gem. The towering spires in combination with the delicate, bright façade impress us every time we visit. In front of the Votive Church, you can make yourself comfortable on the lawn of Sigmund Freud Park and there are many great cafés all around: Café Telegraph, Café Francais and Café Jonas Reindl, for example. 

Instead of the Wurstelprater: the Bohemian Prater in the 10th district

The sprawling Wurstelprater in the 2nd district - simply called Prater by the Viennese - is an exhilarating funfair that enjoys great popularity with its popular Ferris wheel and a variety of other rides. If you're in the mood for carousels and shooting galleries, but not so much for noise and commotion, you should check out the Bohemian Prater in the 10th district. This charming little microcosm in the Laaer Wald forest has some retro attractions for hours of fun and exudes a very special flair of times long past. Thanks to the adjacent city hiking trail 7, it is the perfect place to stop for a walk.

Our tip for a snack: the Schlemmertreff Tivoli offers a wide range of langos variations such as cheese krainer langos, Debreziner langos or classic langos with sour cream, ham and cheese.

Instead of Café Central: the Café Museum in the 1st district

You should definitely get up close and personal with the legendary Viennese coffee house culture during your visit to the city. However, if the sight of a long queue of people puts you off rather than whets your appetite, then we would like to recommend an alternative to the famous Café Central. Instead, you can simply make yourself comfortable where artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka once lingered: in the Café Museum. Opened in 1899, you can expect historical flair and genuine Viennese tradition here too. And because not only painters, but also writers such as Georg Trakl, Robert Musil and Joseph Roth liked to meet here for a big brown one, readings are still held here today.

Bonus: With the Vienna Welcome Card, you save 2 euros on the coffee, cake and mineral trilogy.

Instead of the Naschmarkt: the Karmelitermarkt in the 2nd district

The Naschmarkt is one of the most famous markets in Vienna, but it is so crowded, especially at weekends, that you can hardly enjoy the culinary delights. The Karmelitermarkt in the 2nd district, on the other hand, offers a more authentic alternative: here you will find charming market stalls and small restaurants where the Viennese themselves like to shop and eat. From fresh fruit and vegetables to regional specialties and hip cafés, everything is here.

Instead of Prater Hauptallee: the Augarten in the 2nd district

Once you've filled your belly at the Karmelitermarkt, a digestive stroll in the nearby Augarten provides refreshment. Just like the famous Praterallee, the Augarten is located in the 2nd district - but further north. Here, too, magnificent chestnut avenues await you in the 50-hectare park area, providing a wonderful backdrop for a stroll. Lime, ash and maple trees also provide shade, while a number of restaurants such as the Sperling and the Schankwirtschaft provide refreshments. The large meadows are perfect for making yourself comfortable with a picnic blanket or playing a game of badminton. If you are out and about with your faithful four-legged friend, you will find several fenced dog parks and for kids there are swings, slides and more - and even a small family swimming pool. The Augarten is one of our favorite recreational parks in Vienna: this is where we spend relaxing summer days or have fierce snowball fights in winter. 

Instead of the Albertina: the Leopold Museum in the 7th district

Of course, a little culture is a must when visiting Vienna. And hand on heart: we definitely recommend a visit to the Albertina, as it is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also covers half a millennium of art history with its 1.2 million works of art - from the 15th century to the present day. If you are particularly interested in Austrian art, you should definitely also pay a visit to the Leopold Museum. The collection there houses more than 8,300 objects from the 19th century, including Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka, as well as other works of Viennese Modernism and arts and crafts from the Wiener Werkstätte.

And it gets even better: the Vienna Welcome Card entitles you to a 14 percent discount.

Of course, you won't go wrong if you check out the 10 most popular sights in the city - after all, it's no coincidence that they are so popular. Or would you prefer something more unconventional? Then take a look at our collection of unusual tours through Vienna.